In many cases, the first movements of the fetus within the womb give the mother joy. However, some of them may bring some discomfort. And in some cases, a pregnant woman may doubt the normal condition of her baby.
Often, especially in the later stages (usually in the third trimester or a little earlier), very pronounced rhythmic contractions are felt. Many experts call this phenomenon "hiccups of the fetus."
It should be noted that such reductions can last ten, twenty minutes, and in some cases even longer. The longer the hiccups of the fetus, the more discomfort it brings.
According to many experts, at about the twenty-eighth week, the embryo acquires the ability to suck and begins to try to breathe. In this case, insignificant ingestion of amniotic fluid occurs, which, in turn, provokes diaphragmatic contractions. Thus, the "hiccups of the fetus." According to many experts, there is nothing wrong with the manifestation of this condition. On the contrary, for pregnant women, this is a favorable sign, indicating that all systems, including the central nervous system, develop normally in the embryo. In addition, such a manifestation is an unconditioned reflex and is present in almost all children. And it is laid during intrauterine development. As a rule, upon reaching this period, the child already knows how to yawn. In addition, experts believe that the hiccups in the fetus do not cause any discomfort or inconvenience, but rather are safe.
However, in many cases, women do not feel any contractions in the abdomen. This does not mean at all that the child is not in order. The fact is that each woman has her own threshold of sensitivity. So, some mothers are not able to pick up the baby’s signals, while others respond even to minor movements. In addition, not all children show the same maximum activity. Some, for example, hiccup very pronounced and very long, while others give barely perceptible or completely invisible signals.
However, it is necessary to say about another, extremely disappointing version of the occurrence of prolonged contractions in the embryo. Proponents of this explanation say that the hiccups of the fetus are a sign of insufficient oxygen supply. Through contractions, the embryo is trying to make up for this "starvation." Therefore, in many cases, with complaints of an hiccuped manifestation within the abdomen, treatment for hypoxia is prescribed.
It should be noted that the formulation of this diagnosis on the basis of intrauterine contractions alone is unacceptable. Oxygen starvation is also accompanied by other symptoms, the presence or absence of which should be checked. Such signs may include increased activity during fetal movements, a sudden increase in intensity or an increase in the duration of contractions. Of course, gynecologists when manifesting complaints prescribe special additional studies. So, to detect hypoxia, ultrasound with dopplerometry or cardiotocography of the fetus is used.
However, experts still recommend that pregnant women look at things more positively. In many cases, as practice shows, hiccups of the fetus are not a cause for concern and are unlikely to be harmful. Many women experienced similar manifestations, but there was no talk of any hypoxia of the embryo.
To maintain a normal state, experts recommend eating healthy foods, more often walking in the fresh air.